Apr 25, 2014 · How the Thames Barrier works, and when it is scheduled to close. The Thames Barrier is one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world. The Environment Agency runs …

The Thames Barrier is a retractable barrier system built to protect the floodplain of most of Greater London from exceptionally high tides and storm surges moving up from the North Sea. …

Feb 11, 2014 · The barrier, built in 1982 on the Thames on the eastern side of the capital at Woolwich, was designed to protect 48 sq miles (125 sq km) of central London from flooding …

The Thames Barrier is London's main defence against flooding. This barrier consists of 520 metres of gates spanning the River Thames which close to create a ...

Oct 19, 2022 · How does the Thames Barrier work? Each of the 10 gates that make up the Thames Barrier is designed to withstand an overall load of about 9,000 tonnes of water. When …

Jan 21, 2025 · To combat this threat, the Thames Barrier, one of the most sophisticated flood defense systems in the world, was constructed nearly 50 years ago. This article explores the …

Oct 30, 2022 · Barrier construction began in 1974, was completed in 1980, and became operational in 1982. The project cost £461 million at the time (£1.23 billion today). The barrier …

The Thames Barrier has been closed 174 times since it first became operational in 1982 (correct as of March 2014). 87 of these closures were to protect against tidal flooding and 87 were to …

Jan 7, 2014 · As shown in the graphic above, the barrier operates by rotating six half-circular gates into an upright position. The gates, which are hollow and made of 1.6 inch-thick steel, …

London has benefited environmentally and economically through flood avoidance. The Thames Barrier is one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world. It protects 125 square …